Experience East London: The Place to Be in 2025

It’s official: East London is one of the world’s must-visit destinations in 2025. The area took spot #35 on the New York Times’ annual list of 52 Places to Go This Year, with the prestigious publication citing Stratford’s cultural quarter, East Bank in the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and the venues opening there this year, including Sadler’s Wells East and the V&A East Storehouse, as reasons to visit the area. Both venues also appeared on Time Out’s 25 Best New Things to Do in the UK in 2025, in spots #1 and #4 respectively, certifying Stratford’s position on the map as the place to be this year.

Keep reading to learn more about the exciting experiences on offer at this thriving cultural hub next to Stratford Cross.

Why Stratford in East London is a Must-Visit This Year  

Sadler’s Wells East  

The fourth theatre from one of the world’s leading dance organisations, Sadler’s Wells East is a new hub for creative expression in Stratford. The high-tech venue features six studios including a 550-seat flexible theatre, and a public performance space dubbed “The Dance Floor”, allowing creatives and community members to connect through the art of dance. Having just launched its opening season, Sadler’s Wells East promises a diverse programme of events, showcasing everything from hip-hop and rave to ballet. You can expect contemporary, experimental works from emerging talent and established choreographers, boundary-blurring performances that bring different art forms to the stage, and so much more.

Explore this season’s programme, book tickets and learn more about the theatre here.

V&A East Storehouse  

Opening on 31st May 2025, V&A East Storehouse is a unique experience offering unprecedented access to the museum’s collection. Dedicated to housing over 1,000 archives, 250,000 objects and 350,000 books, the storehouse will give members of the public a chance to peek behind the scenes at the inner workings of the museum and get a closer look at historical feats of art, architecture and fashion design from the past 5000 years. Notable items on show will include The Kauffmann Office by esteemed designer Frank Lloyd Wright, haute couture collections by Elsa Schiaparelli and the Glastonbury Festival archives.

In addition to the storehouse, the V&A East Museum, also located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will open in spring 2026, further enhancing the cultural offering at East Bank.

The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse  

Alongside the museum collections, the V&A East Storehouse will feature a Study Centre comprised of four multi-use areas, one of which is the David Bowie Centre. Opening in September 2025, it will house the artist’s archive, spanning over 80,000 objects, including some of his most iconic outfits, instruments, personal notes and more. Whether you’re a long-time fan or intrigued to learn more about his impact on music and fashion culture, the David Bowie Centre offers the chance to acquaint yourself with his creative process unlike ever before.

All the incredible experiences at East Bank are just a short stroll away from The Turing Building at Stratford Cross. Learn more about this world-class destination approved for workspace and education use in the heart of East London by visiting our available spaces page.